I'm super excited to announce that on Saturday, October 29th at Kawa Coffee, Car Window Poetry is partnering with Urban Peak Colorado Springs to provide homeless young adults in our community with encouraging poems, socks, and other necessities. This event is called Socktoberfest!

In October 2011, creator Brad Montague realized there was a large homeless population in his hometown, and he wanted to do something about it. While researching the needs of the homeless community, he learned that socks are the items least donated to homeless shelters. So Brad took action. He began to film himself wishing people "Happy Socktober!" as he gave out pairs of socks on the streets, and he posted these videos on social media.

Word got around about these videos, and people wanted to know how they could help. So in a stroke of genius, Brad created a Socktober rap that could be purchased for a $5 donation to The Van, a group that drives a van around Arkansas to deliver necessities, including socks, to those in need.

Since then, Socktober has exploded! Kids and adults around the world have started their own sock drives to benefit their local homeless shelters. In 2013, Socktober teamed up with Kid President to spread the word and encourage more people to participate. Last year, participants on all seven continents donated pairs of socks!

When I first heard about Socktober from following Brad and Kid President on social media, I immediately started brainstorming how Car Window Poetry could be a part of this project. Walking through downtown Colorado Springs, it's not hard to see homelessness is a huge issue in our community. A 2016 one-day headcount, done in January in accordance with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations, found that Colorado Springs had 1,302 homeless people, up 21 percent from last year's count.

My desire in planning Socktoberfest was not only to meet our homeless neighbors' physical needs, but also to warm their hearts as we head into the colder months! Whether you live in Colorado Springs or not, here are 3 ways you can help warm hearts with socks and poems this October:

1. Attend Socktoberfest

During Socktoberfest, we're going to collect donated items and also write poems together that will be delivered to Urban Peak's homeless young adults. This event will be a great time to connect with awesome people in Colorado Springs, write together, and share beauty and hope with our community. RSVP here!

2. Donate Items

Through Socktoberfest, we not only get to provide our homeless friends with hope and encouragement through poetry, but we also get to meet their physical needs by providing them with socks and other necessities. These items will be collected at the event. We have a list of Urban Peak's food and supplies needs here.

3. Submit Poems

Even if you're not based in Colorado Springs, you can still help us give hurting humans hope through Socktoberfest by submitting poems of encouragement. Your words won't go to waste, but they'll be directly delivered to our homeless friends at Urban Peak. Submit your poems here!

With your help, I'm so excited to prove that even the smallest acts of love, like sharing a poem or donating a pair of socks, can make a big difference in the lives of our neighbors who are homeless. Thank you for your support and willingness to make a difference. I appreciate you!